Youth fashion

Lu Andy, also known to colleagues and friends as 'Andy Lu' was an up-and-coming fashion designer and could be considered as someone who had the potential to become a starlet and– HALT! Stop right there! Hold your horses!! You sure about that?

Well, Lu Andy or Andy Lu… oh, let's just call him Andy. That's way easier.

Anyway, this Andy, just like any promising talent was, well… quite unique. He studied at one of the top universities in the country famous for offering one of the best -if not the best- fashion design degrees. And just like any such talent was wont to do, he passed the degree with flying colors and a first class to boot.

And, just like this type of genius was expected to do, instead of going to work as a designer in somebody else's company, he decided to start a business of his own.

Just now, you thought he was kinda foolish, right? Well… in a sense, he was. After all, shouldn't it be like you first go and learn some stuff under someone else with more experience– heck, he should've at least learned how to run a business, right?

But, you forgot one point. This Andy was a talent of considerable genius, and when it came to such geniuses, their brain circuits are wired quite differently from how it's for you and me– in other words, the average general populace.

And this person– Andy Lu had the talent, qualifications, and even some capital to start his own fashion line. Even so, he lacked something crucial for this type of undertaking; a well-established personal network. Not that anyone could blame him. He was after all quite young.

It was then that our genius realized that maybe this time around, he calculated wrong. But what could be done by now? The procession had already started, so the best he could do was to grit his teeth and forge ahead.

It was at this time, when he was floundering around without any salvation in sight, that he met Gu Fengyin. Or, it was more like he became aware of her fashion blog, 'Insurgent fashions'.

"I have to say, sister Xue, your little sister is a real looker. I'm sure she'll present my designs to perfection." Andy gushed in delight as he led his two beautiful guests to the photography location inside the small studio. "You two really are sisters. Both with top-notch looks!"

Unlike what he expected, Yang Jingshen didn't receive a quest for this photoshoot, and even the satisfaction value didn't go down as he thought it would. Of course, that shitty ghost lowered it by another 7 points, but to him, that felt quite half-hearted and more like a formality than the usual tantrum. Like, you know… as if she lowered that 7 points, just for the sake of lowering it?

Honestly, with how uppity that damned soul/ghost had behaved earlier, he had thought it would have a stronger reaction to him accepting a job that can potentially affect his future development and pose questions about his (in other words, this body's) sexuality. But to his surprise, nothing happened, leaving him feeling a bit empty.

'*Sigh* Women.'

But, he didn't get a quest for this job– was it because it was more to do with modeling than acting? No, that can't be right. It was a vital part of any actor's career to participate in photoshoots for various establishments, brands, etc. After all, photos can give clearer and exaggerated close-ups of your best (or worst!) features, unlike in a drama or a film that had quickly moving scenes including a bunch of other people to boot.

'I should stop overthinking. Or at this rate, I'll go crazy before I get to meet that soul guardian the next time.'

"Sister Xue, I'm really sorry for making you come here this early in the morning. But my friend only promised to give this studio for my use for free until noon, so we have to start early." Andy sounded apologetic as he watched Feng Xi being ushered inside the small dressing room by the hired stylist.

He was so poor that there was no chance for him to even hire a proper styling team. Fortunately, this stylist had worked with him for quite some time and was willing to give him a discount for the sake of their long-term partnership. Even the photographer was a junior at his alma mater, who agreed to help him for free this time. But if he didn't manage to pull through even with all of that…

"Are you ok?"

Hearing the concern in his friend's voice, Andy laughed as he tried to get away from his gloomy thoughts. "I'm fine… Just, hope it works this time around."

He had met Feng Xue two years ago when he had just launched his first fashion collection. He had been searching for a suitable model to pose for his second collection when Feng Xue's artist applied. And they had hit off quite well from the start, and as always, this lady was willing to let her artists model for him for lower-than-average fees.

But time had passed, yet Andy had seen no sign of his career showing any improvement. At first, he had been so sure of his ability to create unique and attractive designs, but now though… he was not so sure. Constant setbacks can do that to a man. And if this time too he can't see any success, he was afraid he would have to give this up and join some other company.

But this idea alone… it left quite a bad taste in his mouth.

"I'm sorry I can't pay you more."

"It's fine… what with little Xi's scandal, it is already quite good that she got this chance. Maybe, you might succeed this time around."

Andy hummed in agreement but he was not so sure. He knew better than anyone else that it was actually him making use of Feng Xue's artist this time, more than it being him lending a helping hand. After all, he knew that the other agreed to this collaboration with Gu Fengyin because she found it hard to refuse his request, and not solely because the actress under her management couldn't find any work due to the recent scandal.

Even so, Andy felt that he had got no other choice either except to make use of his friend, even though he felt apologetic for doing that. He didn't want to give up just yet– at least not before he gave it his all for one last time!

Just as he was immersed in his own thoughts, a commotion was heard near the dressing room, prompting Andy to look in that direction. But this one glance was enough to stun him on the spot, and he could feel his eyes growing wide.

Because, in front of him was a vision of innocence, a manifestation of joyful and naive youth, garbed in creamy yellow and pink. And at that moment, inside his head, Lu Andy was like, 'That's it!'

And somehow or other, he knew that he'd have some success this time around, even if with only this one design. Unless of course this young girl totally flopped in modeling this dress -which was highly unlikely as she would at least have a basic sense about lenses- or the blog 'Insurgent fashions' gets drowned in a huge scandal. Also quite unlikely; despite being open about her sexuality, Fengyin was one of the most careful people he had met in life.

"Woah!" The cameraman finally broke the silence inside the studio, his eyes shining with unconcealed excitement. "You rock this dress… it looks perfect."

Feng Xi smiled shyly and Andy released a breath he had been holding in. No– now he was sure that even if this kid was terrible at modeling, they would still be able to pull through. That smile alone was one of a kind!

Seeing her cousin perfectly posing to the endless delight of the cameraman, Feng Xue smiled gently, but you could see a hint of pride in her eyes. This child– she always had talent in this field and it looks like she didn't need to worry about the other's memory loss affecting her performance. Guess it really came naturally to her baby cousin.

'But this get-up… it really suits her.'

Feng Xi was wearing a creamy yellow, knee-length gown of plaid pattern sporting a flared skirt, and over it was a pale pink, waist length, long-sleeved woolen coat with a dark yellow ribbon attached at the throat. The whole ensemble was completed with a pair of knee-high, fur-lined boots and a freely flowing, half up half down hairstyle.

The young girl gave off a feeling of cheerful liveliness, mixed with a hint of youthful innocence and curiosity. Youth fashion had always had an appeal of its own after all, and could always cheer up the much-somber adult counterparts, even by simply looking at them. Because, a person could be so carefree and happy, only when they were young.

Feng Xi seamlessly moved from one pose to another, eliciting occasional cries of joy from the young cameraman. He had been working in this field now for nearly two years, and even if he didn't have much experience, it could be said that he had gone to a few similar photoshoots.

But the models were mediocre and they never had much sense of camera, and he had to direct them on how to pose for each and every shot. Even then, getting a successful photo was quite difficult. But it was not that surprising since an unknown photographer like him can't honestly expect to capture images of those talented models with his lenses, right?

Brother Lu had helped him a lot in the past and had even let a newbie like him who didn't have any experience help in earlier photoshoots for his past designs. So, now that brother Lu was facing difficulties, he had come to help him by doing this photoshoot for free.

But, he didn't have any expectations when he came. After all, it would be even harder for his senior to hire a well-known model due to his terrible financial conditions, right? But, now though…

'She's perfect… really photogenic ah!' And before the young cameraman even gestured, Feng Xi effortlessly changed her posture, making him cry out in excitement once again. "Good, good! Miss Feng, that's just right. Can you move your hand a bit to the left? Aaah! That's right… perfect!!"

He might not be getting paid, but he didn't regret coming here today. After all, getting a chance to photograph someone like this- it can only be considered as him having stumbled upon a rare piece of luck! In front of luck, who'd care about some money!?